Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing written work for any potential mistakes or errors in grammar, syntax, spelling, and formatting. It is akin to a quality assurance process, as readers can provide an extra set of eyes to catch any errors that the original writer may have overlooked.
The term "proofreading" is derived from the days of physical printing, when printers would move the text from manuscript to plate. It was said that the printer used the proofreading stage to make sure nothing was missed from the manuscript before the plate was created. If mistakes were found in the proof stage, they would be corrected in advance of the printing, hence the name "proofreading".
Nowadays, the same quality assurance is generally used on digital texts. It is an important step in any document's creation, allowing readers to ensure the text is accurate and free of errors. It is a vital part of the writing process and is often used on a variety of documents, including student assignments, business reports, journal articles and books.